US4801477A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for production of three-dimensional objects by photosolidification
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1987-09-29
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Granted: 1989-01-31
•
Expires: 2007-09-29
Abstract
Abstract An improved method of forming three-dimensional objects comprises irradiating an uncured photopolymer by emitting an effective amount of photopolymer solidifying radiation directly into a desired area inside of uncured photopolymer using an immersed radiation guide. The radiation is emitted through a material which leaves the irradiated surface capable of further cross-linking so that when an adjacent area is irradiated, it will adhere thereto. Repeating the irradiation for all areas in desired sequence, any three-dimensional object can be made; depending on the size of the emitted beam and the amount of emitted energy, objects can be formed point by point, post by post, area by area or layer by layer.
Inventors
- 👤 Efrem V. Fudim
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 23:15
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03F; G03F7/00; G03F7/70; G03F7/70416; B; B29; B29C; B29C64/00; B29C64/10; B29C64/106; B29C64/124; B29C64/129; B29C64/135; G03F7/0037; B29K; B29K2995/00; B29K2995/0037; B29K2995/0072; B29K2995/0073; G05; G05B; G05B2219/00; G05B2219/30; G05B2219/49; G05B2219/49013; H; H05; H05K; H05K3/00; H05K3/0011; H05K3/46; H05K3/4644
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
43 words
In a method of preparing three-dimensional objects from an uncured photopolymer by treating the photopolymer with radiation to solidify the polymer, the improvement which comprises irradiating said uncured photopolymer by emitting radiation directly into desired areas within a quanity of said uncured photopolymer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
43 words
In a method of preparing three-dimensional objects from an uncured photopolymer by treating the photopolymer with radiation to solidify the polymer, the improvement which comprises irradiating said uncured photopolymer by emitting radiation directly into desired areas within a quanity of said uncured photopolymer.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
59 words
A method of preparing three-dimensional objects which comprises: (a) providing a quantity of uncured photopolymer, (b) positioning a radiation-emitting surface within a quanity of uncured photopolymer in contact with area of said photopolymer to be irradiated, (c) emitting photopolymer solidifying radiation from said radiation emitting surface in an amount effective to cause photopolymer to solidify to the desired extent.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
59 words
A method of preparing three-dimensional objects which comprises: (a) providing a quantity of uncured photopolymer, (b) positioning a radiation-emitting surface within a quanity of uncured photopolymer in contact with area of said photopolymer to be irradiated, (c) emitting photopolymer solidifying radiation from said radiation emitting surface in an amount effective to cause photopolymer to solidify to the desired extent.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 2 in which said radiation emitting surface has a transparent coating, said transparent coating being of material which does not interfere with the subsequent cross-linking of the photopolymer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 3 is which said material is fluorinated ethylene propylene.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 3 in which said material is UHMW polyolefin.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 2 in which steps (b) and (c) are repeated desired number of times.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 2 which additionally includes inhibitting cross-linking of photopolymer in contact with said radiation emitting surface.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
82 words
An apparatus for producing of three-dimensional objects from photopolymer, said apparatus comprising: (a) a container for an uncured photopolymer, (b) a radiation emitting surface adapted to come into contact with desired area within the photopolymer which is inside said container; and (c) a source of photopolymer solidifying radiation adapted to transmit an effective amount of radiation through said radiation emitting surface into said desired area inside the photopolymer so that at least a portion of said desired area inside photopolymer will solidify.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
82 words
An apparatus for producing of three-dimensional objects from photopolymer, said apparatus comprising: (a) a container for an uncured photopolymer, (b) a radiation emitting surface adapted to come into contact with desired area within the photopolymer which is inside said container; and (c) a source of photopolymer solidifying radiation adapted to transmit an effective amount of radiation through said radiation emitting surface into said desired area inside the photopolymer so that at least a portion of said desired area inside photopolymer will solidify.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus of claim 8 which additionally includes means for preserving further cross-linking capability of photopolymer layer adjacent to said radiation emitting surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus of claim 8 in which said radiation emitting surface is of material that preserves cross-linking capapability of photopolymer surface adjacent to said radiation emitting surface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus of claim 10 in which said material is fluorinated ethylene propylene.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
An apparatus of claim 10 in which said material is UHMW polyolefin.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus of claim 8 which additionally includes a mask to modulate irradiation of said photopolymer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus of claim 8 which additionally includes optical fibers to transmit radiation from said source of radiation to said radiation emitting surface.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus of claim 9 in which said means include a material inhibiting cross-linking of said photopolymer.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus of claim 8 which includes means for providing desired mutual space orientation of said radiation emitting surface and said photopolymer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
An apparatus of claim 8 which includes an additional radiation emitting surface.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus of claim 8 in which said source of photopolymer solidifying radiation is a source that is capable of providing varying amounts of radiation across said radiation emitting surface.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-01-31 | 1992-08-01 | 1993-01-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-01-31 | 1996-08-01 | 1997-01-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-01-31 | 2000-08-01 | 2001-01-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |